Our Royals: The 2013 Bud Billiken Court Readies for the Parade

Parents, friends and Chicago Defender representatives looked on proudly as this year’s royal court for the 84th annual Bud Billiken Day Parade was crowned during the King and Queen Coronation on Sunday, held at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

The event also celebrated the winners of the 2013 Bud Billiken King and Queen Contest. The historic parade will be held this Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., proceeding down Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. before thousands of cheering families, friends and fans.

This year’s royal court includes: King Isaiah Day, 11, who is in sixth grade at Vanderpoel Magnet Humanities Academy. Day likes school, and is a member of the track and field team there.

Our 2013 Queen is Nianna Williams, 8, who is in the third grade at Donohue Elementary School. Williams likes to play with her friends, and help others out. The Bud Billiken Prince is Thomas Jackson Jr., 12, who is in the seventh grade at Beidler Elementary School. Jackson enjoys playing basketball and Xbox with his friends.

Princess for this year is Maliya Riddle, 9, who is in the fourth grade at Deneen Elementary School. Riddle likes to sing and play basketball. Last but not least is Lord Tyler McKamey, 11, who is in the sixth grade at Kellogg Elementary School. McKamey likes to play the bass guitar, drums and basketball.

The week’s robust schedule of activities for the very deserving royal court included a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry on Monday, plus attendance at a Chicago White Sox game, followed on Tuesday by a special tour of the Dusable Museum and the office of the Mayor at City Hall downtown.

Wednesdays’ stops were highlighted by a luncheon for the kids at Macy’s with special guest Governor Patrick Quinn, and an exciting trip to Great America today, before prepping all-day Friday for the celebrated parade.